Tile forming machine



R. B. BURNS TILE FORMING MACHINE Sept. 9, 1947.

Filed Dec. 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 5 l/Vl/E/VTOI? ATTORNEY Sept. 9, 1947. v. v R. B. BURNS TILE FORMING MACH INE Filed Dec. 10, 1945 I 4 Shee ts-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. BY GQQ/ZQ7QV4 ATTOR/YE Y Sept. 9, 1947. R. B. BURNS TILE FORMING MACHINE med Dad. 10. {Sheets-Sheet s 14 TTO/P/VE Y Sept. 9, 1947. R. B. BURNS 2,427,044

I TILE FORMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 10. o 0:: j/

ATTOPNEY I Patented Sept. 9, i947 UNITED STATES OFF-ICE "TILE FORMING 1 Robert B. Burns, Fort Worth, :Flcx assi nor-fto 1301) Burns Machinery Companm'Fort Worth,

Tcx a corporation of Texas '-Application December 10, 1945 Serial-Noi 633,908

-6 Claims. (25-well) .This invention relates l to forming. oraimolding apparatus for the production: of cement tile or building blocks, ,or :the like, .and vits. principal object resides .in the :provision. of 4. a: machine whicheis capable of forming masonry building units from cement omjixtures more compactly and with greater economysthan conventional apparatus, due primarily to its automatic features of operation and the provisionof a mold capable of being retracted or withdrawn from the finished product whereby a more perfect. unit is formed.

.Anotherllobject of. the invention resides in" the provisionof: apparatusin .which is embodied an arrangement of elements whereby the formed blocks, or units ucansbe removed from the mold without .lthe :usual stripping operation which often: results in the vunit being disfiguredor marred and frequently porous" and containing such imperfections-as air -pockets,- and the like, which serve to'impairthe unit and result in an inferior product.

.still-wanother object of the invention is'manifast in the provision of :a machine vin which the block forming elements, comprising a rectangular mold, include core members for forming cells in the blocks which may be automatically with drawn therefrom as the mold is withdrawn thus reducing. the likelihoodof injury to the finished block sincethe latter'is not disturbed during the operation.

Yet another. object. ofitheflinvention is that ofv afiordingan. automatic operating arrangement of hydraulic pistons .byawhich theseveral parts of the mold are actuated in propernsequence to impart a suitableupressure to the composition material-while'in itsformingstage to insure a solid-and compactunitand efiect vthe retraction of the .mold members without leaving mold marks thereon orvfiaking :ofi portionsqofthe composition material.

Broadly, the invention seeksto comprehend the provision ofv apparatus by which concrete 4 or similar tile can be formed with greater ease and economy and-.of. a better quality. than can berac complished by conventional methods :and- "in whichiiti is, possib1e,.if desired, to form aunit with various face designs or marks. incapableof achievement-by stripping the unit irom themold in t the usual manner.

While the foregoing objects arevparamount, other and lesser objectswill becomemanifest: as the; description 4proceeds, taken in connection with the appended "drawingawherein:

Figure: luillustrates therinvention in vfroi'it ela vationv showing the :mold 'sectionsiandt mold bottom in retracted position. 4

Figure 2 is; a plan view :of: the invention fresh mentarily showing the hopper, the hinged closure for the bottom thereof, and illustrating the core elements in dotted lines therebeneath.

rEigure'B is'another plan view of the. invention takenion lines 3-,3of Figure 1, the hopper'being removed, andshowing theseveralmarts or the mold in retraotedposition.

Eigure .4 illustrates win perspective, the wall sections of the mold in closed formation, and shows the hydraulic: operating rods connected thereto.

-Fisure =45 shows the cell forming; cores in per-- spective, V

Figure-6 isu-a perspectiveview showing the block: supp rtin rame.

Figure "7 illustrates, in Perspective, the block upporting and elevatin :unit showing thearranaementof :pinsthereon.

Eiguretisia vertical; section diagonally across the2inventi n, taken on lines-8'B of Figureza showin ai -block formed in the mold and illustrating-z the block. supporting frame and the; hydraulio elevating unit shown in Figure 7.

:Fiure 9311s; adiaerammatic' illustration of the system of hydraulic conduits :bywhich: the invention operated.

:iliisure l0 iragmentarilyillustrates the upper Po tion of thednvention showing the agitator 7. assembly in; the hopper.

Figure 11 is a perspective illustration of the gitator ass m ly, n

F gure 12 raementarily illustrates a vertical 7 section through the horizontal operating armof h as tator ak n on'lines 12-42 of lii ure 10,

It is contemplated that the invention may be upported: by any suitab e fr me 'structurewh ch may consist of pairs of Verticallegs l andZ-ar ranged 3011 each end and connected transversely of'ithfi assemblyby I- beams S inthemanner each end-of the frame structure. An operating table 6, comprising a steel plate of suitable thicknesais arranged upon the frame and is supported by the beam sid and the angle bars-5.

aA -1;eQtaI1gul3r opening fl is arranged in the table-"fi preferably rdiagonally thereof, as -illustrated- :Figures 2' and 3 and -a rectangular mold= 8,,shown in Figure 4, i s-formed about the opening '1 by, ,wal1- sections- 9 and 1.0, each-y L- shaped in plan; which aremovable toward and away from the opening alongthe :suriace oi the table 6 and are illustrated-intheir-respective positions relative to eachother and .towthe open- 4 ing 11 in'Figutes 1, g and 3, i Eachof Ethe mem+ bersraeand 10- are strengthened-by integral firms r; eussets i larra ed h r zonta y a out their rigidcorners, as shown inFigures-aand 4.

The wall sections 9 and I each form one side and end of the mold 8 when joined, as in Figure 4, and have guides I2 integral with their shorter wall portions to insure a proper juncture with the opposite section forming opposite corners of the mold 8. Each section 9 and II] has connected thereto an operating rod I3 which is joined to the outer longer wall portion at an angle so as to be operative longitudinally of the table 6 and each rod I3 has connection with a hydraulic piston I4 in a cylinder I5 supported on each side of the frame structure in the angle bars 5 by a collar I6. As will presently become manifest, the sections 9 and Ill are operated by the pistons I4 and retracted by springs I1 connected to the sections 9 and I0 and the angle bars 5 on each side.

Beneath the operating table 6 and below the opening I is a subframe structure supported by a leg I8 and which comprises horizontal I-beams I9 supporting vertical angle-iron legs which support transverse I-beams 2| arranged beneath and attached to the longitudinal beams 4. The subframe supports the mold table 22 which operates vertically and is adapted to be elevated into the opening I to form the bottom of the mold 8 and carries the core members 23 which form the cells in the completed block. The core members 23 are formed with tapered sides a, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 8, and preferably with rounded upper edges 1) to expedite their withdrawal from the formed block.

The mold table 22 is integrally supported on the upper ends of rods 24 and 25, the former serving to guide the vertical movement of the table 22 and the latter operating to move the same through its sliding connection, at its lower end, with an operating lever 26, shown in Figure 1, which will be described presently. The rods 24 and 25 extend through apertures 21 and 2B in a guide plate 29 integral with the beams I9 of the subframe and through similar apertures 30 and 3I in the hydraulically operated block supporting and elevating plate 32 which is shown in detail in Figure 7 and will be described in greater detail.

The lever 26, to which the lower end of the rod 25 is slidably connected at c, is pivoted at d to a depending bracket 33 on the subframe and is turned upwardly at an angle from the pivot d and is pivotally connected to a link 34 whose opposite end is pivoted to another lever 35 which is arranged vertically and is pivoted intermediate its ends at e to a bracket 36 integral with one of the I-beams 3, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The upper end of the vertical lever 35 is pivoted to a rod 37 which provides a rigid linkage between the lever 35 and the mold section 9. A diagrammatic illustration of this arrangement is shown in Figure 9.

Obviously, therefore, when the mold sections 9 and I0 are actuated by the hydraulic pistons I4 the movement of the section 9 raises the mold table 22 by reason of its connection therewith through the lever assembly 26, 34 and 35 and the rod 31, just described. The synchronized cooperation of the mold sections 9 and I 0 with the mold table 22 will be more readily understood as the description proceeds.

The block supporting assembly, shown in detail in Figure 7, comprising the elevating plate 32 and a plurality of spaced integral pins 38 projecting upwardly therefrom, is supported and operated by a vertical rod 39 having connection with a hydraulic piston 40. This assembly is 4 arranged for only a limited vertical movement and has guide rods 4| extending downwardly from each end of the plate 32, as shown in Figure 1, and through guide brackets 42 integral with the legs 20 of the subframestructure and have nuts 43 on their ends by which the upward movement of the pins 38 can be limited and controlled.

- Springs 44 are connected between the underside of the plate 32 and the subframe members I9 to cause the plate 32 and the pins 38 to be drawn downwardly when the hydraulic pressure of the piston is released.

A hopper 45 is arranged above the opening I in the table 6, and consequently immediately above the assembled mold 8 thereon, for receiving a suitable composition material which may be placed therein by any suitable means such as a conveyor, or the like (not shown). The hopper 45 may be supported by brackets 46.

An agitator assembly, illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12, may be provided for insuring a proper feeding of the mixture into the mold 8 and may consist of a tamping frame 41 integral with the lower end of a vertical shaft 48 having transversely positioned bars 49 thereon and pivotally connected at its upper end to a horizontal lever 59 which is pivoted at one end to a bracket 5|, on one end of a horizontal frame member 52, and at its opposite end to a vertical rod 53 which operates within a vertical tubular housing 54 connected to the opposite end of the frame member 52. A handle 55 is formed on the lower end of the rod 53 by which the latter is operated to actuate the agitator assembly. The frame member 52 is connected to the hopper 45 by brackets 56 in the manner shown in Figure 10.

The invention is operated by first placing a block supporting frame 51 in the .opening I upon the upper ends of the pins 38. The frame 51 is illustrated in detail in Figure 6. Meanwhile the mold table 22 and its core members 23 are down, as exemplified in Figures 1 and 9, and the Valve 58 operating the plate 32 is closed. After the frame 5! is in position the valve 59 is closed and the pistons I4 are actuated through the conduits 60 and 6| and the mold sections 9 and Ill are joined to form the mold 8. The operation of these members automatically raises the mold table 22, in the manner previously described, and the mold 8 is complete and ready to receive the composition material.

It will be observed, by reference to Figure 8, that the core members 23, when these elements are raised, project upwardly into the mold 8 through the rectangular openings 62 in the frame 51 and that the latter actually provides the bottom of the mold 8. The material placed in the hopper 45 is allowed to pass into the mold 8 until the latter is filled and a shutter or cut-off plate 63, pivotally connected at f to the hopper 45 or to the frame structure, as desired, is swung around by its handle 64 beneath the hopper 45 and between the latter and the top of the mold 8 and cuts off the mixture 65 and, at the same time, provides a top for the mold 8, 'as shown in Figure 8. The shutter 63 is. shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3.

The valve 59, at this point, may be opened and closed suddenly to tamp and further pack the material 65 by the sections 9 and Ill and the core members 23. This operation will aid in pressing out excess moisture and close air pockets and porosity in the block. The valve 58 may also be opened to apply pressure upwardly on the bottom of the block against the plate 63 through the piston 40. The valve 58 is then closed to retain the plate 32 in raised position and the valve 59 is opened to release the pressure whereupon the mold sections 9 and I0 and the mold table 22 will retract, by the aid of springs l1 and the weight of the table 22, leaving the formed block 65 upon the frame 51 and supported by the pins 38.

While in the supported position upon the pins 38 the block 65 may be removed from the invention by operating a carriage arm 66 which is pivoted to a bracket 61 on one of the frame members 4 and capable of swinging inwardly beneath the frame 51 supporting the block and engaging the same whereupon the valve 58 is opened to release the pressure on the piston 40 allowing the plate 32 and pins 38 to retract and lower the frame 51 upon the fingers 68 and the arm 66 may then be swung outwardly where the block can be removed to a suitable drying and curing rack (not shown). The carriage arm 66 is manually operated. The fingers 68 are spaced to engage the underside of the frame 51 on the outside of the arrangement of supporting pins 38 without touching the same.

Manifestly, certain changes and modifications in the structure herein shown and described may be resorted to from time to time by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for forming structural tile from cement, or the like, in combination, a frame structure having an operating table, a rectangular opening in said table, a mold section arranged on each side of said opening and movable with respect thereto to form a rectangular mold, a vertically movable mold table capable of moving into said opening to provide a bottom for said mold and receding in synchronized movement with said mold sections, core members on said mold table forming cells in said tile in cooperation with said mold sections, a hopper arranged above said mold for receiving a cement mixture and directing same into said mold, a shutter pivotally connected to said hopper for closing said mold therefrom and hydraulic means automatically actuating said mold members in synchrony 2. In a machine for forming concrete tile, in combination, a frame structure supporting an operating table having a rectangular opening therein, a pair of mold sections arranged for synchronized horizontal movement on each side of said opening and with respect thereto'to form a rectangular mold, a mold table capable of moving vertically into said opening and providing a bottom for said mold, the said mold table having core members thereon for forming cells in said tile in cooperation with said mold sections, a hopper operatively arranged above said mold for receiving a concrete mix and depositing same in said mold, a closure pivotally arranged on said hopper for closing the bottom thereof and providing a top for said mold and hydraulic means automatically actuating said mold sections and said mold table in operative sequence,

3. In a tile forming machine, in combination, a supporting frame supporting an operating table having an opening therein, a pair of mold sections arranged about said opening and capable of opposite horizontal movement with respect thereto to form a mold, an automatically receding mold table arranged below said operating table and capable of moving into said opening to form a bottom for said mold, core members on said mold table for forming cells in said tile in cooperation with said mold sections, a hopper arranged above said mold and having an opening in its lower end to admit moldable material to said mold, a pivotal closure for the said hopper opening and hydraulic means for automatically operating said mold sections and said mold table in operative sequence.

In a cement tile machine for forming structural units, in combination, a frame structure supporting an operating table, a rectangular opening in said table, a rectangular mold formed about said opening and comprising vertical sections capable of receding from said opening, a forming table operatively arranged in said opening providing a bottom for said mold and capable of receding downwardly in synchrony with said mold sections, the said forming table having cores thereon for providing cells in said tile, a hopper for a cement mix arranged above said mold and having a bottom closure providing a top for said mold, means for automatically actuating said mold elements in proper sequence and means for supporting the finished tile as the mold elements are withdrawn therefrom.

5. In apparatus for forming cement building blocks, in combination, a supporting frame having an operating table thereon and a rectangular opening in said table, a rectangular mold operatively arranged about said opening comprising a pair of vertical sections capable of receding therefrom, a mold table operatively positioned in said opening providing a bottom for said mold and having core members thereon forming cells in said blocks in cooperation with said sections, a hopper arranged above said mold having a pivoted bottom closure providing a top for said mold, automatic means for actuating the said mold members and means for supporting said blocks when said mold members are withdrawn therefrom.

6. In a molding machine for cement building blocks, in combination, a frame structure having an operating table thereon and a rectangular opening in said table, a rectangular mold operatively arranged about said opening comprising a pair of movable wall sections capable'of receding from said opening, a bottom member for said mold movable into said opening and capable of receding downwardly therefrom, core members carried by said bottom member forming cells in said blocks in cooperation with said wall sections, a hopper arranged above said mold for a cement mix and opening into said mold, a closure pivoted on said hopper providing a bottom for said hopper and a top for said mold, means automatically actuating said mold members in proper sequence and means hingedly connected to said frame supporting said blocks as the mold members are withdrawn therefrom.

ROBERT B. BURNS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 694,985 Palmer Mar. 11, 1902 949,505 Snelling Feb. 15, 1910 951,723 Bragstad Mar. 8, 1910 829,380 Ball Aug. 28, 1906 2,193,879 Muenzer Mar. 19, 1940 

